Hi everyone,
I wonder if anyone has any insight into how the Blue Cross rehome their dogs?
The reason I ask is that Sonny - many of you know, went to a Blue Cross centre on Monday 20th january. We had a couple requesting where Sonny had gone the flollowing day. This is where it gets complicated......the following day, I had a call from Blue Cross to say that Sonny had been examined by the vet and had been given a clean bill of health. Also, that he was going to Burford to be assesed by an animal behaviourist. Our friends called that SAME DAY and were told that Sonny was still at Blue Cross and they couldn't go to see him because he had been claimed?!!
On Tuesday 29th of January - we found out that Sonny had not got 'pale coat syndrome' but ear mites and that's what was causing the problem!!:( We learned this via our friends, not BC.
If that were the case, why did they not tell me that when they had spoken to me the week before and how come he was claimed so quickly?
I had signed Sonny over and know that we had no choice but if there were a physical cause for Sonny's behaviour could I not have been given the option of
taking him back as it was so soon after leaving him there?
I'm very upset because I feel that I have let Sonny down.

Ruth:(

I hope that you get to the bottom of it Ruth.
I don't know the way that they work but I do know of someone who, after months of soul searching and discussions with Burford that her dog would be happier in a home where he was the only dog. Ten days after taking him in, she was telephoned to say that he had been castrated and was not recovering, and they thought that he would be better if she took him back! Having made a donation when she took him, they then charged her for the castration, charged to "for adopting" him, and then she had to pay her Vet to rectify the awful castration that they had performed! An expensive and traumatic experience!
Ruth, I remember reading Sonny's story, and you did what you thought was the best, and that's all we can all do! Don't beat yourself up.

Hi Val,
Thanks for the reply. I too donated financially and took all of Sonny's bedding, toys, food, etc.
I feel for the poor woman you speak of though.
I know that BC do a lot of good and at the end of the day, they were there when I needed them to be but something just doesn't ring true.
Perhaps I've just got to put this one down to experience and forget about it....I don't know.

Ruth

Hi Ruth, poor you :( you must be feeling dreadful Ive been reading your previous threads about Sonny and how much you and your family loved him. It does seem a bit strange he was claimed so quickly but then again I don't know how the Blue Cross works. From what I have read you did your best under the circumstances, some people would have had him put down straight away unlike you who gave him a second chance by rehoming him. Maybe he went to a home where there are no children, if it was all down to earmites he won't be in any danger of biting a child if he gets them again. I suppose nobody really knows the reason why he went for your son. If you were given the option of taking him back now would you ever feel completely relaxed having your children around him?

Good luck

Clair

Oh Ruth I am so sorry to hear your story
It is soul destroying when folk are not straight with you.
However I still feel a dog should not bite at all , no matter how they are hurt
Over the years I have had dogs that have been hurt or had surgery and I could still trust them not to snap or growl at any of my children.
That is what I expect from a family dog , were you ever going to get that total devotion from sonny .
I think you are best moving on now enjoying your next puppy and hope Sonny is happy .
More importantly you are protecting your children from danger by getting them a dependable dog.
I would however delve more into the practises of Bc . Seems like they are opportunists
Mari

Thanks Mari and Clair,
You're right about the trust issue. I probablly would always have been on my guard which wouldn't have helped Sonny at all.

I will phone BC tomorrow, not telling them what I know but just to see what they tell me first!
I'm sure that Sonny will be happy but as you say, it is not nice when people are perhaps not what they seem to be.

Ruth

Hi Everyone,

The mystery depends!
I contacted BC who informed me that Sonny had gone up to Burford where he was assesed and they could prove or exclude this pale coat problem.
I specifically asked if he had any physical problems, i.e. ear mites to which I was told no, he was in perfect health!
I'm glad that he has been rehomed but why two conflicting stories?:(

Ruth

Ruth, sometimes we never find out what really happens. Maybe it's time to accept that you did what you thought was best, then turn the page and move forward?

Thanks Val,

You're absoloutely right and on Sunday we're picking up our new puppy! A black lab who is going to be called Rooney or Murphy:)
His breeder has put together a puppy pack with a photo of his mum, pedigree, and she is waiting for the certificate from the Kennel club. A new era for us and hopefully many long, happy days:)

Ruth

Hi Ruth,
My friends have a black lab called Murphy, and he is a delight! Scatterbrained, but an absolute sweetie. :D I'm sure yours will be just as lovely!

Hi Ruth
I've followed this and like the others feel you did your best for your family and for sunny .
Now then Rooney or Murphy ??????
Blue or Red ????
decisions ,decisions :D
i have a murphy but I'm a red ( rest of them are blues --no taste !!)
good luck with your new puppy -I'm sure it will all be fine this time
Liz :)

Hi Liz,

Rooney was my husbands' choice - he's an Everton fan!! But the boys really don't want to call him Rooney and we have to find one that most are happy with. Murphy has a nice ring to it - I saw it in a book on Labs I've been reading so I think it may be Murphy...I'll let you all know:)

Hi Ruth, I'm so pleased to hear new pup is arriving on sunday. I'm sure things will work out brilliantly and little rooney/murphy will be the much loved family pet you are looking for. Who knows what went on at the BC, I suppose the only thing that matters is that Sonny is happy - which despite the confusion with the BC they would have ensure of that at least.

update on puppy expected sunday :D

Clair

Hi Ruth
we all have our crosses to bear and living with everton supporters is one of mine :D so you have my sympathies ;) ( when will they learn ?? )
I agree with Clair ,we want full updates on sunday please :D
Liz:)